British ambassador praises dynamic year in UK-Azerbaijan relations

Fergus Auld, the British Ambassador to Azerbaijan, noted significant progress in UK-Azerbaijan relations over the past year, emphasising strengthened cooperation during the COP29 climate summit held in Baku in November 2024.

He described it as a pivotal moment of collaboration, where the UK and Azerbaijan worked closely to address global climate challenges, Caliber.Az reports citing local media.

He also noted that it marked the first-ever visit of a British Prime Minister — Sir Keir Starmer — to Azerbaijan.

Ambassador Auld underlined the energy sector as a key area of partnership, stressing that British companies are playing an active role in shaping Azerbaijan’s future, from the Karabakh region to the Caspian Sea coast.

Their engagement is seen as central to both expanding the energy partnership and supporting the diversification of the Azerbaijani economy.

He also recalled several milestones in bilateral ties in recent months. In January, the UK appointed its first resident Defence Attaché to Azerbaijan, Lieutenant Commander Gavin Tarbard.

In April, Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov visited London to take part in the UK-Azerbaijan Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic and Trade Cooperation.

In May, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Science and Education took part in the World Education Forum held in London.

By Aghakazim Guliyev